Removing The Quit Option (Part 2)
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
Navy SEAL trainees are stretched to the breaking point in order to give them a mental toughness that will outlast any battle.
The Bible says that we, as God’s people, are “not of those who draw back.” (Hebrews 10:39) So many start out strong and on fire for God, but somewhere along the way they enter into their own “Hell Week” like the week that the Navy SEALs have to endure and start to backpedal. But you should come to the realization that your worst day with Jesus is better than your best day in the world without Him. Decide today, “I’m never going to walk away from God. I’m never going to quit attending church. I’m never going to leave my wife. I’m never going to give up on my kids. I’m not going to let my dream die.”
Speaking to the Ephesian Church, Paul said, “I served the Lord with many tears and with temptations, and there were people who lied in wait just to see me fall.” And he said, beyond that, “The Holy Ghost witnessed to me that in every city there would wait bonds and afflictions…but none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, that I might finish my course with joy.” (Acts 20) Paul was saying, “I have made up my mind, I will never use my quit option.” In this world, you will have trouble, but you are not a victim. One of these days, when Jesus appears, your reward will be more than you can imagine.
Paul said, “Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.”
You would think, at some point, this man would say, “It’s time for me to give up. It’s time for me to quit. I’ve been through too much. But there was no quit in this man. He’s the one who said, “Forgetting those things which are behind, I reach for that which is ahead, and I press for the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” How could he say that? He had removed the option to quit.
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